Packing for Disney

Hello, friends! Today, we’re kicking off part two of the 31 Days of Disney series. This is the active-travel portion of the series, so it’s only fitting that we start it off right with a post about packing for your Disney vacation!

Everybody’s different when it comes to packing. Everybody has their own ways, their own method to the madness. Packing is never a super simple process, but it can be streamlined with a few tips. This post is certainly not exhaustive. It’s not an end all, be all packing list for your Disney family vacation. But it will give you a few ideas of things you’ll want to remember, things you’ll want to consider, things you’ll want to think of before and while you’re packing for your Disney vacation.

First, I thought I’d first share a few general packing tips that work well for me. These tips work particularly well when packing a family for a Disney vacation, because the task requires you stay organized and keep first things first!

GATHERING ALL THE THINGS

In the weeks and days leading up to your vacation, start gathering things you’ll need to bring. Set them aside. Put them in a pile in your bedroom or somewhere where they’ll be at least somewhat out of sight. That way, when you get to the point where you’re actually packing, you’ll have a head start on the job.

DSC_7078

PACKING FOR CHILDREN

So maybe I’m a little OCD. My husband says I overpack. But when traveling with young children, my bare minimum is ONE outfit per day, TWO outfits for each day if they’re tiny and have that many clothes for the particular season in which you’re traveling. No matter what, I recommend packing extra clothes for your child. Who knows if they’ll spill a bunch of ketchup all over their shirt, fall and get soaking wet in the middle of the day, or look like a sweaty, dirty ragamuffin after a long day in the Disney Parks. When packing, I lay clothes out on the kids’ beds before I put them in suitcases. That way, I can easily see and count the outfits I’m packing and compare that to the number of days we’ll be gone. (Okay. Yes. Perhaps I’m a little OCD.)

packing for Disney

CARRY-ONS

When you pack carry-ons, don’t forget to include some activities to keep your children busy on the plane or car ride. This is a great opportunity to give little ones a Disney sneak peek with a Disney coloring book, activity book, book, stickers, game or Disney movie ready to stream on your iPhone, iPad or laptop.  

packing for a Disney vacation

RAIN GEAR

Consider packing gear for rainy days at Disney Parks. We have two bright yellow ponchos my parents bought for us when we visited Disneyland in the 1980s. I bring those on every Disney vacation, just in case it rains. Rain ponchos of any type make for great photos and are easy to pack, too!

Disney rain gear

CAMERAS

Speaking of photos, don’t forget to pack your camera!

Now let’s talk about the things you might want and need to pack that are specific to a Disney vacation! These items are small, but will make your Disney vacation flow more smoothly and will enhance those magical moments!

BAG TAGS

If you’re staying on Disney property or booked your vacation through an agent that’s affiliated with the Walt Disney Travel Company, you’ll receive Disney luggage tags in the mail. Remember to label them and put them on all of your bags, and if you’re anything like me, you might want to grab a little packing tape and double secure them. The points of attachment don’t seem incredibly secure for heavy wear and tear on flights.

Disney bag tag

DISNEY COLLECTIONS

Perhaps you collect DISNEY CHARMS for your Pandora necklace or bracelet. Perhaps you collect DISNEY TRADING PINS like our family! Perhaps you have a collection of MICKEY EARS you’ve purchased on past Disney trips. Perhaps you have a favorite DISNEY T-SHIRT. Perhaps your child has a favorite DISNEY SWIMSUIT or STUFFED DISNEY CHARACTER! Bring a few small, easily packable items from your Disney collections as you’re able. It’s fun to have those things along on the trip! They’ll make the occasion even more delightful once you arrive at your Disney destination! Remember, once you arrive, everything’s Disney and nobody’s judging! So go all out! Bring that Disney gear! Bring those collections! Bring those Disney items that tickle your fancy.

Mickey ears

VACATION INFORMATION, MEMORY MAKER & MAGIC BANDS

If you purchased a Disney vacation package, you’ll receive a packet of information in advance of your trip with itinerary details, instructions, as well as a variety of coupons for your stay. Be sure to pack this in your carry-on for quick reference.

If you purchased a Memory Maker Package online prior to your Disney vacation (which gives you full access to download and print photos of your family taken by Disney photographers), Disney will send you the card in the mail. You may have already tied the Memory Maker Package to your Magic Bands, but go ahead and bring the card anyway. Make sure all those photos are going to the right account!

Last, but not least, if you received Magic Bands as part of your Disney vacation package, or chose to order them for convenience sake, remember to bring them with you! Don’t forget the Magic Bands! This will be our first Disney vacation with Magic Bands. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Disney Magic Bands

That’s it, friends! Like I said in the beginning, this certainly hasn’t been an exhaustive Disney packing list, but is a good basics checklist of sorts. Hope it’s helpful as you prepare for future Disney vacations! Have a magical day, everyone!

31DaysofDisney_medium2This post is part of a month-long series titled 31 Days of Disney! If you’d like to read more posts from the series, click here and you’ll be directed back to the 31 Days of Disney landing page. ALL posts from the series are linked within the body of that post. Find a title or topic that intrigues you, click on it, and the post will pop up for your Disney reading adventure!

I also placed the series graphic on the right sidebar of my blog’s home page, so click it anytime and it’ll bring you back to the 31 Days of Disney landing page where all 31 posts are listed and linked.

You can follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/AmyBPederson where I’ll tweet links to all 31 posts using hashtag #write31days, and I’d LOVE to connect on Facebook at facebook.com/AmyBPederson. You can also find me on Instagram at instagram.com/AmyBPederson, and I might even do a few scopes live from Disney World, so follow me on Periscope at @AmyBPederson to see if I get brave!

So glad you stopped by! Make yourself comfortable. Take a peek around the place, and know you’re welcome back anytime.

  1. Carol Femling says:

    Have SO MUCH FUN in Florida at Disney World!!! I am envious, as I haven’t been there in years and I LOVED it!! Looking forward to reading your posts this week! LOVE you all!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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